
A historical dessert from The White House cook book; a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home .. (1913). Use no other wetting besides what's specified in the recipe. The soda should be dissolved in milk and added after all other ingredients are thoroughly beaten.
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
Beat thoroughly each ingredient
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adding, after all is in, a half teaspoonful of soda dissolved in a tablespoonful of milk
Roll out as any cookies and bake a light brown
Use no other wetting
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
The combination of baking soda activated by acidic lemon juice creates carbon dioxide bubbles that leaven these cookies while developing their distinctive tangy flavor. Creaming butter and sugar extensively incorporates air into the dough, providing structure and lift alongside the chemical leavening. The minimal liquid content (only lemon juice and a tablespoon of milk) creates a stiff dough that holds its shape during baking, resulting in crisp cookies with clean edges rather than spreading into thin wafers.
The cookie dough can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling. Alternatively, roll and cut the cookies, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Layer cookies between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. These cookies can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
The cookie dough can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling. Alternatively, roll and cut the cookies, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Layer cookies between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. These cookies can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.